Face memory and emotional recognition: Theory, neural substrates and related pathologies

Abstract

Face memory and emotional recognition are really important processes for contemporary psychology. Since Bruce and Young published their model of cognitive organization of face perception processes, in 1986, the knowledge about these two cognitive mechanisms has growth considerably. This knowledge has been enriched by the use of several approaches, for example, neuropsychological, cognitive, and the physiological one, using sometimes the presentation of pictures to recognition and neuroimaging techniques in other times. The knowledge reached in this field has been employed in different areas of psychological sciences like forensic psychology and neuropsychological rehabilitation, among others. The aim of this paper is to summarize the most significant facts reached in the field beginning with theory analysis of different approaches, and ending with the neuropsychological and neural substrates of each process.